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The Cruzes Secure A Completely Blue Front Row In Zolder

Huff takes pole for Race 1 ahead of Menu, with Muller fourth

2011-04-23

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Chevrolet pit wall staff will enjoy having to wear a golden bow tie tomorrow Sunday, as the team tradition wants it every time the pole is secured on Saturday. This happened again in Zolder, thanks to Rob Huff, who signed his second pole in two events so far this season. The Brit will share the all-blue front row with team-mate Alain Menu, who was second-fastest, while reigning World Champion Yvan Muller won’t be far away, having been fourth-fastest.

This, of course, is valid for the grid of Race 1. The grid of Race 2, which is based on the ten best times of Q1 but in reverse order, will see Rob, Alain and Yvan starting from positions 5, 6 and 7, respectively. The Cruzes are therefore well-placed for both races tomorrow and will do their utmost to take their first win in and to keep the lead in both Championships. 

Warm conditions continued to reign over the Belgian track today, adding some extra parameters to the challenge of finding an ideal balance, something already not easy in a circuit which is extremely technical and very demanding for tires and brakes.

• QUOTES

Rob Huff (1^st) : «I am very pleased with this pole, and also a bit surprised, as neither my two lap attempts weren’t perfect. In the first one, I was a little bit too cautious in the first sector, had a very good second sector and an even better third sector. In my second try, it was exactly the opposite: I started better than I finished. But, apparently, my first fast lap was good enough to ensure the pole. It was a tough qualifying, as it was very warm inside the cars and the minutes spent in the pit lane under the sun because of the red flag period made it even hotter”.

Alain Menu (2^nd): “It’s a little bit of a surprise to find myself on the first row, as my impression from behind the wheel was that I wasn’t particularly fast! I had a lot of over-steering and had to be cautious not to lose the rear of the car at every corner. In addition, I also had strange vibrations on the steering wheel. All that obliged me to take a rather square line in the chicanes, but it looks like it did not affect my lap times”.

Yvan Muller (4^th): “I am not very satisfied of my qualifying, as things didn’t go as they should have. On my first attempt, I was off for a very good time, then I think the tires just went, and I locked a wheel while braking; on the second attempt, I maybe pushed a little bit too hard and lost again some tenths”.

Eric Nève: “It was an excellent qualifying and I am sure that tomorrow, our 900 guests will appreciate the welcome presents: a blue sky and a blue front row!”

ZOLDER QUALIFYING RESULTS (RACE 1 GRID)

1. R Huff                   Chevrolet Cruze                    1m38s458

2. A Menu                 Chevrolet Cruze                    + 0s140

3. G Tarquini             SEAT León TDI                      + 0s265

4. Y Muller                Chevrolet Cruze                    + 0s280

5. T Monteiro SEAT León TDI                      + 0s449

ZOLDER GRID POSITIONS – RACE 2

1. F Barth                  SEAT León TDI                      1m39s638

2. F Engstler              BMW 320 TC                          1m39s583

3. G Tarquini             SEAT León TDI                      1m39s493

4. N Michelisz           BMW 320 TC                          1m39s417

5. R Huff                   Chevrolet Cruze                    1m39s373

6. A Menu                 Chevrolet Cruze                    1m39s367

7. Y Muller                Chevrolet Cruze                    1m39s365